TOWN OF FLAVORTOWN
TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of Regular Meeting No. 220
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Council Chamber, Town Hall
1. CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Flavortown Town Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chairperson Kessling.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Chairperson Kessling, Councilmembers Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, and Hasegawa.
Absent: Councilmember Fenstermacher.
Also present: Bud Coolidge, Mayor; Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.
A quorum was present.
3. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
Councilmember Thornquist moved to approve the minutes of the April 29, 2025 regular meeting; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion carried, 6–0. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa.)
4. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence was received.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Hedge along the Town Hall walkway
This item was removed from the agenda of the April 29, 2025 regular meeting to be re-noticed. The Council considered whether the hedge along the Town Hall walkway falls under the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee or the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to assign the hedge along the Town Hall walkway to the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Bernadette Kwan rose to a point of order, stating that the Chair had not asked whether there was further discussion before calling the question, and cited Robert's Rules of Order, Section 43. Chairperson Kessling noted that she had asked. The objection was overruled. The motion carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Delgado, Hasegawa.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-N.
B. Gazebo railings
This item was tabled at the April 1, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the gazebo railings should be painted in latex paint or oil-based paint. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. Councilmember Tassel moved to specify latex paint for the gazebo railings; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion to refer carried, 4–2. (Ayes: Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Kessling, Hasegawa.) The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Paint Materials was formed for the purpose. Councilmember Delgado volunteered to serve.
C. Splash pad
This item was tabled at the April 29, 2025 regular meeting. The Council considered whether the Town should have the splash pad at all. The item was placed on the agenda by the Bureau of Water Features. Councilmember Tassel moved to retain the splash pad; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel moved to amend the motion to add the words "pending review by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Bureau of Water Features or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. Councilmember Tassel moved to refer the item to an ad hoc subcommittee; seconded by Councilmember Delgado. The motion to refer carried, 5–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado. Nays: Hasegawa.) The pending amendment went with it. The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Splash Pad Continuance was formed for the purpose.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Fenstermacher arrived at 7:37 p.m.
A. Flag at Town Hall
The Council considered whether the flag at Town Hall should be relocated three feet to the west. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Denny Frawley. Councilmember Tassel moved to keep the flag at Town Hall in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Delgado moved to amend the motion to add the words "on a trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. Councilmember Thornquist moved to amend the amendment to add "of not more than ninety days" after "trial basis"; seconded by Councilmember Hasegawa. Councilmember Tassel asked whether the matter falls under the Division of Seasonal Decoration or the Department of Public Works, Sidewalk Subcommittee. The question was noted. Chairperson Kessling asked whether there was any further discussion. There was. Discussion continued for 20 minutes. Councilmember Thornquist moved to refer the item to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Flag Placement; seconded by Councilmember Tassel. The motion to refer carried, 4–3. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Thornquist, Delgado. Nays: Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Hasegawa.) The pending amendments went with it.
B. Fence around the retention pond
The Council considered whether the fence around the retention pond should be relocated six feet to the east. The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Hasegawa recused himself from discussion and voting on the item, explaining at some length that his late father once helped paint the fence around the retention pond. Councilmember Whitcomb moved to keep the fence around the retention pond in its current location; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion failed, 2–4. (Ayes: Thornquist, Whitcomb. Nays: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Delgado.)
C. Mulch beds outside Town Hall
The Council considered whether the mulch beds outside Town Hall should be natural brown or dark brown. The item was placed on the agenda at the request of Wendell Prue. During discussion, Mr. Prue withdrew the request.
D. Welcome sign at the town line
The Council considered whether the welcome sign at the town line should read "Welcome to Flavortown" or "Welcome to the Town of Flavortown". The item was placed on the agenda by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Adjacent Green Space. Councilmember Delgado moved to have the welcome sign at the town line read "Welcome to Flavortown"; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Thornquist.) The item was adopted as Ordinance No. 25-O.
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Kessling opened public comment at 8:41 p.m.
Denny Frawley spoke in support of the item. Mr. Frawley stated that an upgrade to the gazebo railings was the best idea he had heard in some time. He further stated that he would bring folding chairs.
Marjorie Pletz addressed the Council regarding the mulch beds outside Town Hall. Ms. Pletz stated that the site sits at a low point and that the matter was therefore one of drainage. She stated that she would not elaborate, as the Council was aware of her position.
Gus Aldaco stated that the Norway maple at Fennel and 4th is still there and asked that this be entered into the record. Mr. Aldaco noted that the tree has now outlasted three members of the Council.
Dale Brummett read into the record a prepared statement of five pages concerning the frequency of leaf collection. Mr. Brummett exceeded the three-minute limit and was advised accordingly. He stated that he was nearly finished and continued for an additional 3 minutes. Copies were provided to the Clerk and are on file.
Peggy Lindqvist, 157 Clove Street, addressed the Council for the first time. Ms. Lindqvist stated that her recycling bin on Clove Street was not emptied last Thursday. She asked that someone look into it.
There being no further speakers, public comment was closed.
8. MAYOR'S REPORT
The Mayor proclaimed May 17 as Paint Day. The Mayor proclaimed the week of May 19 as Flag Appreciation Week.
9. DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Office of Signage Compliance: The Office reported that the signage on Fennel Street is legible.
Bureau of Water Features: The Bureau reported that routine testing at the splash pad was completed.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
The Chair noted that the Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Mulch Continuance has recorded no activity since the February 18, 2025 regular meeting. Councilmember Tassel moved to dissolve the subcommittee for inactivity; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Tassel, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Hasegawa. Nays: Delgado.)
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Posted Hours Continuance requested an extension of 90 days to complete its review. Without objection, the extension was granted.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Councilmember Hasegawa moved to adjourn; seconded by Councilmember Thornquist. The motion carried, 6–1. (Ayes: Kessling, Fenstermacher, Thornquist, Whitcomb, Delgado, Hasegawa. Nays: Tassel.) The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Carol Ann Albrecht, Town Clerk.